Live(ish) from Westerdam Xmas/NY cruise from Auckland 20Dec22

[MMDown Under]

12 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We had a lovely, but very long, day at Bruny Island yesterday.

 

Since Hobart was our first Australian port we had to go through passport control

 It was very efficient though. Tour groups met in the theatre while the rest of the passengers had had to get group cards the day before to spread out the process. There was some confusion in the theatre while the tour groups were assembling as the general groups announcement was broadcast there by mistake and those with matching tour group numbers started heading out. However that got sorted out quickly. Once the tour groups started leaving they were given priority and it was all very quick.

 

We had a pleasant trip down to Kettering to catch the ferry. Of course yesterday was one of the worst possible days to go over to Bruny Island, hundreds of people were heading over for the weekend. The ferry queue was huge. Unfortunately tour buses had to get in line like everyone else. It took about 45 minutes to get onto a ferry but once we got close to the head of the queue we were able to get off the bus for a quick comfort stop, and even had time to grab a takeaway coffee.

 

Once on Bruny we headed south to the Neck through beautiful countryside. Our wonderful bus driver, Sam, imparted lots of interesting info about the area and places we passed. At the Neck we stopped for a while. Most people went up to the lookout, which seemed quite crowded. We decided to do the boardwalk to the beach instead and had fun spotting penguin burrows along the way. The beach was beautiful, as were the views from there. 

 

Then we went on to Adventure Bay. South Bruny has a wetter climate than North Bruny and there were some beautiful forests along the way. Petticott Wilderness Journeys operate lots of tours in the Hobart area and they have a great restaurant at the Southern end of Adventure Bay which was our lunch stop.

 

First we were given a taste of the local oysters. They were huge and delicious. Most oysters are farmed in intertidal zones so spend half the time underwater feeding and the other half out of the water and closed up tight. The Bruny oyster farm, Get Shucked, grows their oysters completely underwater so they get very fat. However they have a shorter shelf life. That didn't matter this time as they were freshly harvested that morning. 

 

Following the oysters we had beautiful fish, chips and salad. The fish was crumbed blue eye trevella, again superfresh, and the salad was also really fresh and tasty, and only lightly dressed. We also got a complimentary drink, in our case a glass of very nice Tasmanian riesling.

 

The restaurant was over-run with people wanting lunch. Luckily our tables were reserved but service was a bit slow. The ever-energetic Sam was serving meals, not just to us but to other tables as well. 

 

We had a choice of things to do after lunch - a headland walk escorted by Sam or a ramble along the beach. We opted for the beach which had gorgeous turquoise water although I suspect it was quite chilly. It was lovely just relaxing there for a while. The tour company operates boat trips from the nearby wharf so we watched them racing out to sea and back. Unfortunately there wasn't time to do one. 

 

Back on the bus we got given a sample of fudge from the local chocolate company that we had passed earlier. We headed back to the ferry with a couple of stops along the way - at the oyster farm for those who wanted more oysters, and at the House of Whisky where we we tasted one of their very special whiskies, and their "magic" gin. As soon as I saw the gin I started laughing! It was infused with the Butterfly Pea flower which gives it a beautiful bluey-purple colour, which turns pinky-purple when tonic is added. Of course after drinking many Butterfly cocktails on Princess, which uses a tea made from the same flower, I was very familiar with this reaction. It made a lovely gin so we bought a bottle.

 

Our journey there wasn't without some unusual happenings though: we nearly squished a small Mazda who stopped very suddenly to let an echidna cross the road. Luckily Sam was travelling at a safe distance so stopped in time. Then a bit further along the road we had to wait until a huge flock of sheep crossed the road. They were coming from a side road so were strung out in a very, very long line. We couldn't believe how many there were, the line seemed endless.

 

We only had a short wait for the ferry this time, just enough time for those who wanted locally grown cherries to duck over to the conveniently placed cherry shop.

 

We got back to the ship about 75 minutes late but there was no rush as we weren't leaving Hobart until 11pm. We still had plenty of time for relaxed showers before dinner.

 

Sam, our driver, commentator, tour guide and jack of all trades, was absolutely wonderful. He had a great sense of humour as well as excellent local knowledge. It was a privilege to spend the day touring with him.

 

My only complaint was the bus seats. They aren't designed for plus sized women - the seat belt placement meant I had to sit in a slightly uncomfortable position so it didn't either choke me or squash my boobs. My back was not happy last night but a good night's sleep has made it a bit happier.

 

What a difference a 11 pm departure makes.  You can do a full day tour and still have time to have a shower before dinner.  I love Bruny Island and plan to spend a day there in February when I'm in Tassie.  

[MicCanberra]

Bruny is a gem of a place.

[boeckli]

Thanks for the detailed description and photos from your Bruny day Julie.

I'll definitely consider that one for my upcoming Noordam cruise. 

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 hour ago, boeckli said:

Thanks for the detailed description and photos from your Bruny day Julie.

I'll definitely consider that one for my upcoming Noordam cruise. 

If you do I hope you get Sam as your driver.

[sewgood]

Thanks Julie for you description of a day spent at Bruny Island. I haven't been there but now it's on my list. A good reason to book another cruise to Tassie. 😄

I enjoyed the photos as well. 😊

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 minute ago, sewgood said:

Thanks Julie for you description of a day spent at Bruny Island. I haven't been there but now it's on my list. A good reason to book another cruise to Tassie. 😄

I enjoyed the photos as well. 😊

I just wish we'd been able to have more time there. I'd like to stay there for a couple of nights.

[Aussieflyer]

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

I just wish we'd been able to have more time there. I'd like to stay there for a couple of nights.

DH an DD spent 4 nights at Inala (www.inalanaturetours.com.au) in May but unfortunately the weather was not kind. DD is an avid bird photographer and went specifically for the raptor hide and the 40 spotted pardolote.The reserve is only accessible if you are staying in one of the houses/cottages. They also visited the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre at Kettering which they said was excellent.

[Blackduck59]

Thanks for all your reports on this cruise Julie. We are still looking at options for our down under adventure. We were going to book soon but maybe we will book it as a future cruise while we are on Zaandam in the summer. I like the low deposit.

[OzKiwiJJ]

We had a quiet NYE onboard. We spent the morning in the Crows Nest working on a jigsaw puzzle. We got quite a bit of it completed but after lunch some kids took over the jigsaw table to play some sort of noisy game.

 

It was a dressy night and they actually had lobster on the menu without an upcharge, as surf and turf. Having had a huge steak the previous night that didn't appeal to me so I chose the duck. Most of us at our table chose the jumbo shrimp and crab starter followed by the "Celebration" salad. There was great hilarity as the jumbo shrimp arrived. Maybe Americans might call it a jumbo shrimp but to us Australians, Kiwis  and Canadians it was a very ordinary sized prawn. Still it was tasty. The salad was also delicious. However my duck was a bit of a letdown, not enough duck (two tiny pieces) and far too much red cabbage even for me. Luckily there was a very nice Grand Marnier creme brulee for dessert.

 

There was a party in the theatre scheduled for 11:30pm but we decided not to go to that. Partly because Covid numbers are increasing on the ship and also because I find the theatre seats on this ship are really uncomfortable - they are bench-style seating rather than proper theater seats. We had a fair amount of onboard credit left so shouted ourselves a nice bottle of champagne and curled up in our favorite bar until midnight. It was very quiet there, just a dozen people at most, but we all got together to welcome the New Year in. 

 

We were in Melbourne yesterday but didn't leave the ship. It was stinking hot so we took the opportunity to have a pool day. On this ship you can't get a lounger most days as there aren't all that many but with many people off doing excursions in the morning there was plenty of spare loungers. We had a lovely quiet time there until the excursion-goers started arriving back onboard. We used the covered Lido pool as it has a bit more shade than the Wake View pool. The pool was heated to a perfect temperature - warm enough to stay in for quite a while yet cool enough to feel refreshing when you first got in.

 

It was such a gorgeous evening we decided to go to Canaletto again last night for dinner. We had no problems getting a last minute booking and had a great window table which gave us wonderful views as the ship left Port Phillip Bay. Canaletto has one of the best beef carpaccios I've ever had. 

 

We're powering up the coast back to Sydney today. Apparently we have to pick up the pilot at 3am as we have to go under the harbour bridge while the tide is still low enough for the ship to fit under it - high tide is 6:40am.

 

I'll post details about what we liked and didn't like about this cruise once I get home and have access to a proper keyboard. My phone keyboard is driving me nuts today.

[lyndarra]

One sleep to go.

Thanks Julie for Live(ish).

BTW How do I know beforehand  if my OBC is on my account?

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 minutes ago, lyndarra said:

One sleep to go.

Thanks Julie for Live(ish).

BTW How do I know beforehand  if my OBC is on my account?

I wouldn't have a clue. I never figured that out. I didn't realise how much we had until we boarded and I could check our account.

[MMDown Under]

50 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We had a quiet NYE onboard. We spent the morning in the Crows Nest working on a jigsaw puzzle. We got quite a bit of it completed but after lunch some kids took over the jigsaw table to play some sort of noisy game.

 

It was a dressy night and they actually had lobster on the menu without an upcharge, as surf and turf. Having had a huge steak the previous night that didn't appeal to me so I chose the duck. Most of us at our table chose the jumbo shrimp and crab starter followed by the "Celebration" salad. There was great hilarity as the jumbo shrimp arrived. Maybe Americans might call it a jumbo shrimp but to us Australians, Kiwis  and Canadians it was a very ordinary sized prawn. Still it was tasty. The salad was also delicious. However my duck was a bit of a letdown, not enough duck (two tiny pieces) and far too much red cabbage even for me. Luckily there was a very nice Grand Marnier creme brulee for dessert.

 

There was a party in the theatre scheduled for 11:30pm but we decided not to go to that. Partly because Covid numbers are increasing on the ship and also because I find the theatre seats on this ship are really uncomfortable - they are bench-style seating rather than proper theater seats. We had a fair amount of onboard credit left so shouted ourselves a nice bottle of champagne and curled up in our favorite bar until midnight. It was very quiet there, just a dozen people at most, but we all got together to welcome the New Year in. 

 

We were in Melbourne yesterday but didn't leave the ship. It was stinking hot so we took the opportunity to have a pool day. On this ship you can't get a lounger most days as there aren't all that many but with many people off doing excursions in the morning there was plenty of spare loungers. We had a lovely quiet time there until the excursion-goers started arriving back onboard. We used the covered Lido pool as it has a bit more shade than the Wake View pool. The pool was heated to a perfect temperature - warm enough to stay in for quite a while yet cool enough to feel refreshing when you first got in.

 

It was such a gorgeous evening we decided to go to Canaletto again last night for dinner. We had no problems getting a last minute booking and had a great window table which gave us wonderful views as the ship left Port Phillip Bay. Canaletto has one of the best beef carpaccios I've ever had. 

 

We're powering up the coast back to Sydney today. Apparently we have to pick up the pilot at 3am as we have to go under the harbour bridge while the tide is still low enough for the ship to fit under it - high tide is 6:40am.

 

I'll post details about what we liked and didn't like about this cruise once I get home and have access to a proper keyboard. My phone keyboard is driving me nuts today.

Thank you for your most interesting thread, Julie, despite having a phone keyboard which was driving you nuts.  I sympathise because I just switched from my phone to laptop to touch type this.  

[SilvertoGold]

10 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Thank you for your most interesting thread, Julie, despite having a phone keyboard which was driving you nuts.  I sympathise because I just switched from my phone to laptop to touch type this.  

Julie: agree with MM and sympathise about your phone keyboard.  I could never do what you have done on a phone! Even considering doing posts with a phone gives me a headache!  Thanks for this thread: it has been a big help in my planning.

[arxcards]

Gee, you were right about the early arrival. Welcome Back!!

 

Thanks for your liveish posts

[OzKiwiJJ]

10 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

Julie: agree with MM and sympathise about your phone keyboard.  I could never do what you have done on a phone! Even considering doing posts with a phone gives me a headache!  Thanks for this thread: it has been a big help in my planning.

I think the problem with using my phone keyboard at the moment is that my nails are longer than usual. Time for a manicure! 🤣

 

Do you need any more info about the ports? Just ask if you do.

[SilvertoGold]

3 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

I think the problem with using my phone keyboard at the moment is that my nails are longer than usual. Time for a manicure! 🤣

 

Do you need any more info about the ports? Just ask if you do.

Long nails: I know how that doesn't work! Another reason not to use the phone for emailing (for me)!

 

Wellington: shuttle into town, 2 stops? Where?  Have a so-so map of the cable car, gardens, Beehive area and Te Papa Museum.  Not sure how close these are together. So far looking to do a route of these three in the morning and could use suggestions on in what order.

 

Thanks for your offer of assistance :)

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

Long nails: I know how that doesn't work! Another reason not to use the phone for emailing (for me)!

 

Wellington: shuttle into town, 2 stops? Where?  Have a so-so map of the cable car, gardens, Beehive area and Te Papa Museum.  Not sure how close these are together. So far looking to do a route of these three in the morning and could use suggestions on in what order.

 

Thanks for your offer of assistance 🙂

We last stopped in Wellington in 2019 so I'm not totally sure where the shuttle buses stop now but back then the first stop was in Lambton Quay just in front of the Old Government Buildings so very close to the Beehive and 650 metres (8 minute walk) to the Cable Car. The second stop was near the iSite Information Centre in Wakefield St, about 230 metres (3 minute walk) to Te Papa museum and 900 metres (11 minute walk) to the Cable Car. Our cruise didn't stop in Wellington this time. Hopefully someone who has visited there recently will confirm those shuttle bus stops.

 

The best way to see the Botanic Gardens is to go up the Cable Car then walk down through the gardens, then you can walk down Glenmore St into Bowen St which will take you to Lambton Quay, passing the Beehive. So there is your morning route covering three of your options. In the afternoon you could go to the Te Papa Museum. Although it would be more efficient to do Te Papa in teh morning then walk around to the Cable Car etc.

[Aussieflyer]

2 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We last stopped in Wellington in 2019 so I'm not totally sure where the shuttle buses stop now but back then the first stop was in Lambton Quay just in front of the Old Government Buildings so very close to the Beehive and 650 metres (8 minute walk) to the Cable Car. The second stop was near the iSite Information Centre in Wakefield St, about 230 metres (3 minute walk) to Te Papa museum and 900 metres (11 minute walk) to the Cable Car. Our cruise didn't stop in Wellington this time. Hopefully someone who has visited there recently will confirm those shuttle bus stops.

 

The best way to see the Botanic Gardens is to go up the Cable Car then walk down through the gardens, then you can walk down Glenmore St into Bowen St which will take you to Lambton Quay, passing the Beehive. So there is your morning route covering three of your options. In the afternoon you could go to the Te Papa Museum. Although it would be more efficient to do Te Papa in teh morning then walk around to the Cable Car etc.

It is certainly easier to walk down from the gardens! Last time we walked up and it was quite a hike.

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, Aussieflyer said:

It is certainly easier to walk down from the gardens! Last time we walked up and it was quite a hike.

Walking down is also hard on the legs. Next time we will do the cable car up & down separately, then take a level walk around to the gardens via the Beehive.

[boeckli]

7 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

Wellington: shuttle into town, 2 stops? Where?  Have a so-so map of the cable car, gardens, Beehive area and Te Papa Museum.  Not sure how close these are together. So far looking to do a

route of these three in the morning and could use suggestions on in what order.

 

@yes!yes!yes! has just been to Wellington on Grand Princess. Maybe post your question(s) in her thread?

Depending on your interests, another experience to consider is Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary. I visited just before Covid and enjoyed it very much.

[SilvertoGold]

8 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We last stopped in Wellington in 2019 so I'm not totally sure where the shuttle buses stop now but back then the first stop was in Lambton Quay just in front of the Old Government Buildings so very close to the Beehive and 650 metres (8 minute walk) to the Cable Car. The second stop was near the iSite Information Centre in Wakefield St, about 230 metres (3 minute walk) to Te Papa museum and 900 metres (11 minute walk) to the Cable Car. Our cruise didn't stop in Wellington this time. Hopefully someone who has visited there recently will confirm those shuttle bus stops.

 

The best way to see the Botanic Gardens is to go up the Cable Car then walk down through the gardens, then you can walk down Glenmore St into Bowen St which will take you to Lambton Quay, passing the Beehive. So there is your morning route covering three of your options. In the afternoon you could go to the Te Papa Museum. Although it would be more efficient to do Te Papa in teh morning then walk around to the Cable Car etc.

Brilliant description.  Even if things have changed a bit for drop-offs for the shuttle , this is really good for orientation, with walking times a huge plus!  We planned on the gardens first and then walking down, but read another thread where there was an amazingly long line for the cable car up. We will be late March with apparently only our ship in port should be OK or, with your walking times, we can reorder the route around the area easily :)

 

Anyone like to comment on what weather we might expect?

 

Many thanks, Julie.  

[MMDown Under]

12 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We last stopped in Wellington in 2019 so I'm not totally sure where the shuttle buses stop now but back then the first stop was in Lambton Quay just in front of the Old Government Buildings so very close to the Beehive and 650 metres (8 minute walk) to the Cable Car. The second stop was near the iSite Information Centre in Wakefield St, about 230 metres (3 minute walk) to Te Papa museum and 900 metres (11 minute walk) to the Cable Car. Our cruise didn't stop in Wellington this time. Hopefully someone who has visited there recently will confirm those shuttle bus stops.

 

The best way to see the Botanic Gardens is to go up the Cable Car then walk down through the gardens, then you can walk down Glenmore St into Bowen St which will take you to Lambton Quay, passing the Beehive. So there is your morning route covering three of your options. In the afternoon you could go to the Te Papa Museum. Although it would be more efficient to do Te Papa in teh morning then walk around to the Cable Car etc.

Walking down you can visit an interesting old graveyard.  The gravestones make fascinating reading - whole families of young children died.  

[Jean C]

5 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

We will be late March

 

Anyone like to comment on what weather we might expect?

Oh dear - same as is said for San Francisco and Melbourne - if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes; or four seasons in one day.

 

Late March will be starting to get cooler although we could still have some glorious summer-like days then. Wellington also has a reputation for being windy, although on the handful of times I've been there it's been perfectly calm.  It will be a lucky dip 🌞

[windsor26]

We took a train and went to the huge and great car museum which also has a organ that disappears into the ground (like the old theatre ones)

[paulvdb1]

On 1/4/2023 at 2:11 AM, SilvertoGold said:

Brilliant description.  Even if things have changed a bit for drop-offs for the shuttle , this is really good for orientation, with walking times a huge plus!  We planned on the gardens first and then walking down, but read another thread where there was an amazingly long line for the cable car up. We will be late March with apparently only our ship in port should be OK or, with your walking times, we can reorder the route around the area easily 🙂

 

Anyone like to comment on what weather we might expect?

 

Many thanks, Julie.  

The first drop off is just a couple of blocks from Te Papa - was just there a couple of weeks ago. The shuttles were quite frequent. No lines for us at the cable car other than ourselves blocking everyone while we worked out how to do a family pass. The gardens are best approached from the top of the cable car (immediate right turn once off) but there's a LOT of up and down in their gardens - fine for us but might be tricky for those with walkers/canes/etc. 

 

NOTE - try to do these attractions without a tour as the timings on some of those cruise tours are way off. Zeelandia was great but I would've liked another hour - bus driver was too slow and burnt up our visit time. Te Papa was great but tour guide spent too long on unimportant items so we broke off that tour